INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. will drive the pace car for the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday. Griffey has attended “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” in his second career as a photographer, but now his job will be much more visible. He’ll be behind the wheel of the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray that brings the field of 33 cars — led by record-setting pole sitter Scott McLaughlin — to the green flag at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “Driving the Pace Car and leading the field to start the Indy 500 is one of the coolest experiences,” Griffey said Monday. “I came to the track a few years ago as a photographer and look forward to seeing the race from a different perspective.” The pace car driver has been a coveted job among athletes, actors and other celebrities since the 1970s, when actor James Garner and singer Marty Robbins handled it. Others that have driven the car include Jay Leno, Morgan Freeman and Patrick Dempsey and, in more recent years, NBA players Victor Oladipo and Tyrese Haliburton. |
New Godzilla x Kong film continues to lead Chinese box officeArmy reservist who warned about Maine killer before shootings to testify before investigatorsMichael Harris II hits an RBI double in the 10th inning to lift Braves past Marlins 4Suri Cruise steps out in stylish sweater and flowing skirt in NYCBurkina Faso's army massacred over 200 civilians in a village raid, Human Rights Watch saysThe surprising foods that cause foulXizang reports soaring exports of local agricultural specialties in Q1How a pheromone perfume could make you irresistible to the opposite sexElectric cars and digital connectivity dominate at Beijing auto showConnecticut Senate passes wide